Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-11
The French Army.

COI. HASBROCCk THE RECENT MILITARY
EvOLUTIONS-wAR OR PEACE IN EUROPE?
Col. Hasbrouck and Inspector-General Baird,
both OF the United States Army, were present at
the recent maneuvers OF the French army as rep
resentative OF the United States.
Il had a very good time," said the colonel at
West Point recently, "and nothing could exceed
the courtesy OF the French government toward the
foreign representatives, and especially toward my
self and Gen. Baird. Immediately on our arrival
In Paris We were made the guests OF the Cercle MIL
itaire and were formally introduced to the minister
days and were very interesting. The review took
place on the seventh day, and was a magnificent
sight. After the review was over l Came home,
but Gen. Baird remained behind Inc, and will not
return Just yet"
"well, colonel" asked the reporter, "what do
you think Of the French as sOld1ers?r
II think they are wonderfully expert In some
things. Take riding, for example. They ride
magnifcently, and no wonder. Each or their
riding halls contains two posts 10 or II feet apart
THESE posts are padded, and u thoroughly trained
horse is fastened TO them by side lines attached TO
a simple bit. recruit mounts this horse, either
and then folds bis arms and tries 10 keep his seat
while the horse spurred on by the riding masters
whip, bucks and rears like a demon. II the recruit
Is unSeated he comes against the padded posts or
the sanded floor and Is not hurt. ON, tell you
these horses are wonderfully trained, not only for
this sort OF duty but also Tor leaping hurdles and
bitches. In our army comparatively little atten-
tOn is paid 10 this branch OF the service and that
Is probably why was so impressed with the eff
Clency u III III lutiT OI alluOSt
entirely ignoring the manual Of arms
seems to me 10 have much 10 recommend II.
They have only three motions and are utterly
careless about cadence and uniformity. On Tn.
other hand, they are singulariy careful about
cadence in marching and about the rapid deplOy-
ment OF large masses OF men into line or battle
overa wide extent OF country. They execute such
movements very quickly, and always keep the
proper distances The cuiraSSiers are Splendi 4
looking fellows, and with their heavy armOr and
Announcements one would imagine they could ride
down a stone wall OF craftsmanship saw very
little, but that, think, Is easily accounted for.
The French army Is very large, and the govern
ment cannot afford to spend 50 much money on
ammunition as other governments with smaller
armies can. i believe sixty rounds OF ball car
fridge Is the annual allowance for each soldier.
Naturally, with such a limited supply OF aminuni.
ton, the tests OF craftsmanship are few and far
between must say, however, that the artillery
Is splendid, and the French nation may well be
proud OF II. That and the superb riding and the
thorough training both OF horses and men were
the things which impressed me more than any
thing else"
"Wnat are the prospects OF war between France
and Germany cOlOnel?"
"Oh, there Is nothing definite, but my own
sooner or later. IL Is la the air, and you know
what that means. France can never forgive Ger
many for taking Alsace and Lorraine away from
her. and until Alsace and Lorraine are given back
or won back France and Germany will be at log.
gerheadS IL Is generally admitted that had Ger
many contented herself with imposing a mere
money indemnity ana had kept her hands of OF
eager Tor war she is now. Not that there is any
pubic clamor FOR war. No: but every one feels
that France will not be satisfied until she regains
the two lost provinces"